Bicycle



Patented Nov. 29, |898.

L. B. GAYLR.

B I C Y C L E.

(Application filed. Apr. 30, 1898 (No Model.)

WMM/Lame@ al@ NrrnD STATES PATENT Fries.

LEONARD B. GAYLOR, OFERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

BICYCLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,944, dated November 29, `1898. Application led April 30, 189 8. Serial No. 679,319. (No model.)

T0 fol/f 1071.071?, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEONARD B. GAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bicyel es, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in bicycles; and it consists in means whereby the stem of the handle-bar may be rigidly clamped in any desired position relative to the steering-tube by internal clamping devices. By that I mean devices which are inclosed within the stem of the handle-bar and act upon the inside of the steering-tube, so that exterior clamps of all kinds are avoided. Various attempts have heretofore been made to accomplish the desired end by expanding the stem of the handle-bar against the interior of the steeringetube, but so far as I am informed they have not proved successful. Under my invention a series of clamping-jaws is employed which is separate and distinct from either of the parts named and is supported upon the stem of the handle-bar and acts directly upon the interior of the steering-tube.

My vapparatus is simple, inexpensive, and, as I have demonstrated by actual test, clamps the handle-bar to the steering-tube with absolute rigidity,so that they are,in effect, an integral structure, and yet the construction and operation of the parts are such that the clamp may be loosened and the parts adjusted quickly and easily.

Referring to the drawings hereof, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the invention and adjacent parts. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the stem of the handle-bar. Fig. 3 is a view froln above of the clamp proper which is shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the clamp proper. Fig. 5 is a view from below of the clamp proper shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line X X of Fig. l, looking from below upwardly.

A is the handle-bar and B the stem of the handle-bar.

C is a sleeve, having a tubular projection C, whereby the handle-bar is attached to the stem B.

D is the steering-tube, connecting with the crown-forging E of the fork.

The handle-bar stem B is recessed at its lower end, as shown at F, Fig. 2, leaving proj ecting prongs G G, dac. between the recesses.

H is the clamp. Its several parts are the continuous ring-like structure I at the upper end, from which project downwardly four spring-prongs J J J J. At the lower ends they are formed into clamping-jaws K K, the outer surfaces of which are knurled. The prongs J J are made sufficiently thin to have slight elasticity when subjected to the requisite pressure. This clamp is attached to the lower end of the stem of the handle-bar by rivets L L (see Fig. l) in such manner that the jaws K K rest within the recesses F F of the stem.

M is a spindle threaded at its lower end into an expander N, which is conical in form, as shown, the small end of which passes upwardly between the inner surface of the jaws K K, as shown, which are preferably beveled at about the same incline as that of the conical expander, so that there are suitable engaging surfaces between the two. The upper end of the spindle M is likewise threaded, as at O, and P is an interiorly-threaded tubular nut, which has a square or, at least, angular head Q projecting upwardly through the Washer R, which may be set in a recess within the sleeve C.

The clamping-jaws Kv are of such width that they fit quite accurately, although with sufficient freedom of movement, within the recesses F in the lower end of the stem B, so that no lost motion exists between the jaws and the stem.

The operation of the apparatus is simple. Upon unscrewing the tubular nut P Q the expander will move downwardly by reasoniof the pressure of the clamping-jaws upon its conical surface, or, if preferred, in order to insure this action the washer R may be dovetailed within the sleeve C and caused to en gage with the tubular nut in any preferred manner, so that the spindle and expander will be positively forced downward when the nut is unscrewed. As the expander moves downwardly the elasticity of the clamping-jaws causes them to move inwardly away from the walls of the steering-tube D, so that the clamping action is broken. lVhen this takes place, the handle-bar and its stem may be IOO adjusted vertically in any desired position. Then such is attained,the clampingejaws may be again forced outwardly into engagement with the walls of the steering-tube by simply screwing up the tubular nut, and in the extensive tests that I have given the apparatus I have been astonished at the rigidity with which the parts are clamped together by the exercise of very little pressure upon the nut. The surfaces of the clamping-jaws K K being knurled grip the inner walls of the steeringtube with great firmness, and I prefer to give to those gripping-surfaces considerable area, as shown, so that they may have large contact with the interior walls of the tube, both for the purpose of increasing their hold upon it and also for the purpose of preventing any tendency to bulge the tube.

It is obvious that various modifications may be made in the details of construction without departing from the essentials of the invention-as, for instance, instead of having the tubular nut a head may be made upon the end of the spindle M, which will screw into and out of the expander N-but I prefer the construction shown, because it is better mechanically, less expensive, and there is no possibility of disconnection between the expander and the spindle, which might otherwise occur; also, there is more certainty of its action; also, although I prefer to make the clamping-jaws all in one piece as an integral structure with the continuous ring at their upper ends it is evident that they may be separate pieces fastened in any suitable manner to a band or sleeve, or the band may be omitted altogetherand the jaws consist of a plurality of separate pieces riveted direct to the handle-bar stem; also, equivalent devices for the conical expander may be used. In short, various modifications may be made without departing from the essential features of the invention. I therefore do not limit myself to details, excepting as they may be specifically claimed herein.

I'Iaving described my invention, I claiml. The combination, in a bicycle, of a handle-bar stem provided with slots, a steeringtube, a series of clamping-jaws located within and supported by the stem, but separate from it, and which engage through said slots directly against the inner wall of the tube, and an expanding device for the jaws, for the pur poses set forth.

2. The combination, in a bicycle, of a han dle-bar stem provided with slots, a steeringtube, a series of elastic clamping-jaws located within and supported by the stem, but separate from it, and which engage through said slots directly against the inner wall of the steering-tube, and an expanding device for the jaws located within them, for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination, in a bicycle, of a handle-bar stem, a steering-tube, a series of clamping-jaws supported upon a ring which is located and held within the stem, recesses in the stem through which the jaws may move into direct contact with the inner wall of the steering-tube, and an expanding device for the jaws, for the purposes set forth.

4. In a bicycle a handle-bar and handle-bar stem connected by a sleeve which embraces the handle-bar, separate clamping-jaws connected with the stem and supported by it and which engage directly with the steering-tube, said steering-tube itself, an expanding device for the jaws mounted upon a threaded rod or bolt and located within the stern, and a cupshaped or tubular nut, located at the exterior of the handle-bar, which actuates said rod and expander, for the purposes set forth.

5. In a bicycle a handle-bar stem the lower end whereof has a series of recesses, a series of elastic clamping-jaws located within and supported by the stem and which work through said recesses against the inner wall of the steering-tube, said steering-tube itself, and a conical expander likewise located Within the said jaws and operated from the exterior of the apparatus, for the purposes set forth.

Signed at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, this 28th day of April, A. D. 1898.

LEONARD li. YlAYLOR.

Vitnesses:

GEO. E. GIBSON, NELLIE MURPHY. 

